Find a CEA

Meet Nancy, Founder of NEXsteps

I founded NEXsteps to help people prepare for and navigate the practical realities of estate planning and estate administration, with clarity and care. Much of this work happens long before legal documents are needed, and often at moments when individuals and families are juggling uncertainty, responsibility, and emotion.

My role is to help people get organized, understand what matters, and take thoughtful next steps. That may involve reviewing existing plans, supporting executors, or helping individuals think through decisions they have been putting off because they feel complex or uncomfortable.

I approach this work with a focus on preparation rather than crisis, and on practical guidance rather than theory. My goal is to make the process feel manageable, grounded, and aligned with the life someone has lived, the legacy they want to leave, and the people they care about.

Personal Fiduciary Certificate; Personal Fiduciary Standards International, 2024

The Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Management
Training; Alberta Health Services, Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification
Federation, 2023

Trauma-Informed Care; Alberta Health Services, Canadian
Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation, 2023

Brain Story Certification;  Palix Foundation, Alberta
Family Wellness Initiative, 2023

Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences +
(CRADLE), 2023

Family Champion Award Nomination, BC Care Providers
Association and EngAgeBC, 2023

IFIC; The Canadian Investment Funds Course, 2008

CFP Professional with thirty years experience.

I began my career in financial services in 1997 with one of Canada’s leading insurers. Those early years built a strong foundation in client care and financial strategy, but I soon realized I wanted to create something more personal. In 2002, I joined Richard McKenster Financial Planning — now Merestone Financial Planning — where I became a partner in developing thoughtful processes for retirement planning, cashflow management, and risk preparation.

That step allowed me to work more closely with families — helping them design financial strategies that reflect not just their goals, but their values. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), I take a holistic approach to every client relationship, considering the full picture — not only investments and insurance, but how all parts of life fit together financially.

From retirement and cashflow planning to estate preparation and risk management, my goal is simple: to bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to people’s financial lives so they can focus on what matters most.

I’m a long-standing member of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, and an active member of the Halifax Estate Planning Council, which helps me stay connected to evolving best practices and professional standards in our field.

Born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, I come from a family of advisors — my father is one as well — and that early exposure to financial guidance shaped my belief that good advice starts with listening and genuine care.

Insurance Advisor, specializing in Travel Insurance and Health and Dental Plans

Certified Financial Coach, empowering individuals in Financial management. 

Jessica is a lawyer with more than a decade of experience
assisting all levels of clients on a wide range of legal matters, specializing
in estate planning and estate administration. Jessica is the founder of Bortnick Law Office, a law firm providing legal services in rural Alberta. Jessica also provides legal services to clients in Edmonton and surrounding areas.

I am a licensed Insurance Agent, and I am also mutual fund licenced in Ontario.  My practice consists of many retirees and business owners and I am often asked for advice on estate and succession planning.

I am a financial professional passionate about empowering clients.  

Financial Planning

Retirement Planning

Insurance Planning

I am a funeral pre-planning specialist. I assist people in using their CRA registered Eligible Funeral Arrangement to prefund and we preplan the funeral. Helping the families at the time of need. I work with all funeral homes in Canada. I am well know for my public speaking speaking to thousands each year on how to orginze their estate and how funeral preplanning helps. . 

With over five years of experience in the insurance industry following a distinguished 24-year career as a piano instructor, I bring a wealth of expertise and a commitment to excellence to my role. 

Recently assuming leadership of my father's esteemed insurance business, I have undergone significant professional growth and development. My primary objective is to provide comprehensive estate planning solutions, leveraging my unique blend of skills and experiences to serve both inherited and new clientele effectively. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with clients, ensuring they are optimally positioned for success in their estate planning endeavors. Having taken the CEA course, I feel more equipped to help my clients and their families as they navigate decisions and ideas surroundings Estate planning. 

Working with families and business owners with a focus on retirement and estate planning. Comprehensive financial planning and portfolio construction are used to achieve goals without taking unnecessary risk. Trusts are used to address a wide variety of client needs.

I am a licensed Financial Advisor DFSA and now CEA with a private practice in Simcoe, Ontario dedicated to serving individuals and their families across Norfolk County. 

I provide guidance to my clients about retirement preparation, transition, estate transfer strategies.  

The foundation of each client relationship begins with honesty, transparency and integrity.  I work to ensure each client receives a personalized experience ensuring they feel understood, well-informed and in control of their financial goals and decisions.  

I actively encourage working along side of my clients chosen tax and legal professionals to ensure they receive a comprehensive and coordinated approach to achieving what is important to them. 

To suit your needs, I offer flexible in office appointment times for clients preparing to transition into retirement, in home appointments for seniors living in retirement, and virtual meetings for working professionals and with client's tax and/or legal professionals.